UN Commends Nigeria’s Solar Projects for Providing Power to Five Million Residents

The United Nations has recognized Nigeria’s rural electrification program as a successful way to increase electricity access. This acknowledgment comes from the World Social Report 2026, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The report highlights Nigeria’s Electrification Project as a model for how developing countries can provide affordable energy to underserved communities. It notes that the program has led to the creation of 125 mini-grids and the sale of over one million solar home systems.

These initiatives have brought electricity to more than five million Nigerians and created over 5,000 green jobs. The UN praised Nigeria’s use of subsidies for rural mini-grids, stating that this approach effectively combines affordable electricity with private investment.

The report explains that targeted financial support can help lower electricity costs for low-income households while encouraging investment in areas that lack services. It also points out that Nigeria and Ghana are leading the way in integrating solar panels into agricultural land.

This integration allows farmers to produce electricity while continuing to grow food on the same land. The UN believes that combining renewable energy with agriculture can enhance food security, improve water management, and create more economic opportunities in rural areas.

Additionally, the report evaluated Nigeria’s performance in terms of economic transformation and social inclusion. Nigeria received a transformation score of 44.30 and an inclusiveness score of 56.36, resulting in a total score of 100.67. This analysis includes 168 countries and looks at various aspects of development from 2000 to 2024.

The UN stressed that economic growth and technological advances do not automatically benefit vulnerable populations.